HomeMy WebLinkAbout200204 - OPEN - MinutesBoard of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
February 4, 2020
STATE OF THE COUNTY
The Commissioners presented the State of the County video followed by a question and answer
period at 7:00 a.m. at the Fountain Head Country Club, 13316 Fountain Head Road, Hagerstown,
Maryland; sponsored by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.
The Commissioners departed for 100 West Washington Street, Suite 1113, Hagerstown,
Maryland.
MOMENT OF SILENCE AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A moment of silence was observed, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full
assemblage.
CALL TO ORDER
President Jeffrey A. Cline called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of
Washington County, Maryland, to order at 10:01 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 1113,
Hagerstown, Maryland, with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker and
Commissioners Wayne K. Keefer, Cort F. Meinelschmidt, and Randall E. Wagner.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the minutes
of January 28, 2020. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
The Commissioners provided a brief insight into meetings and discussions held during the Day in
Annapolis last week. Additionally, the Commissioners thanked staff and the Chamber for the State
of the County presentation earlier that morning.
Vice-President Baker discussed the sale of the Fort Ritchie property and contract negotiations. He
shared his opinion that the topic should be discussed in open session, sharing details of the contract;
as well as presenting infrastructure upgrades considered in the sale to other potential purchasers.
Commissioner Keefer echoed Commissioner Baker's comments regarding the Fort Ritchie
property. Additionally, he shared that the CFO should be present during closed session to weigh
in on monetary matters, and that the number of staff from the County Attorney's Office be limited.
Commissioner Wagner shared that he supports the Fort Ritchie contract as negotiated.
Additionally, he shared his utmost support for his staff and their expertise.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt shared he supports the sale of the Fort Ritchie property as an
economic growth opportunity, as well as an increase to the taxable base. He also shared that he
will not be present for the February 11 th Commissioners meeting and asked that the Commissioners
reschedule the matter of discussion regarding the Mobile Home Tax. The Commissioners reached
a consensus to reschedule the matter for February 25th so that all Board members may be present.
President Cline shared that the CFO will be present during closed session discussion as it relates
to any financial items. Additionally, he shared that the Fort Ritchie property was advertised as-is,
but negotiations are a necessary part of a contract, which he fully supports.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Information Systems
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OPEN Session, February 4, 2020
Josh O'Neal, Director, requested approval of an agreement with Antietam Broadband for Fiber
Optic Internet Service at a monthly cost of $1,032.95 on a two-year contract; these funds have
been budgeted.
Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the monthly amount
of $1,032.95 and execution of the agreement as requested.
Office of Grant Management
Susan Buchanan, Director, shared that her office is collaborating with Maryland Economic
Development Corporation on a grant application submission to the Strategic Demolition Fund
program to assist with the costs of demolition of several buildings located on the former Miller
Lumber property, which was purchased by the County with grant funds in January 2019.
Public Relations
Danielle Weaver, Director, informed the Commissioners that the first quarterly newsletter was
released last week. Additionally, she welcomed the community to join staff for the State of the
County this evening.
CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION
Roger Vincent, 16845 Longfellow Road, Hagerstown and Steve McDonough, 16906 Pickwick
· Lane, Hagerstown, shared their opposition to the mobile home tax. They added that if the tax
remains, that it is separated from the rent as an itemized charge on their bills received from the
mobile home park owner.
CONTRACT RENEWAL {PUR1403) LANDFILL INSPECTION SERVICES
Rick Curry, Director, Purchasing, and Dave Mason, Deputy Director, Solid Waste, recommended
renewal of the contract with BAI Group, LLC, of State College, Pennsylvania (PUR1403) Landfill
Inspection Services for a one-year period commencing March 13,2020 on the same terms and
conditions as the current contract, with the exception of a rate increase of 3% for construction
inspection and engineering services based on BAI's letter of request dated January 9, 2020; this
is the second year of the requirements contract.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to renew contract
PUR1403 with BAI Group, LLC, as requested in its letter dated January 9, 2020, as presented. The
motion passed unanimously.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE -OFFICE SUPPLIES,
DESKTOP DELIVERY FOR ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS {INTG-20-0028)
Mr. Curry and Carin Bakner, Purchasing, recommended authorizing by resolution the utilization
of an Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase/Office Supplies, Related Products and Services
with Omnia Partners/National IPA, Region 4 Education Service Center, having its principal place
of business in Houston, Texas, contract (R190301) that was awarded April 23, 2019 to EPIC
Business Essentials of Rosemont, IL and to extend the existing contract with EPIC Business
Essentials through May 31, 2024.
Mr. Curry shared that the Omnia Partners/National IPA contract is for a five (5) year period that
commenced on June 1, 2019 and ends May 31, 2024, with the option to renew annually for five
(5) additional one (1) year periods, upon mutual written consent of the parties. The new contract
provides a larger Core item list and the discount increases from 7% to 10%. The sum of sales
through our current contract for 2019 was $161,111 for all County departments.
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OPEN Session, February 4, 2020
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to authorize by
resolution the Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase INGT-20-0028 with Omnia
Partners/National IP A, as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
(Resolution No. RS-2020-03 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of
Washington County and the original is located in the County Commissioners' Office.)
BUDGET ADJUSTMENT -BOARD OF ELECTIONS
Scott Hobbs, Director, Engineering, recommended approval of a budget transfer in the amount of
$300,000 to the Election Board Facility project (BLD102) and $300,000 into the Systemic
Building project (BLD078). Mr. Hobbs explained that the adjustment will cover additional
renovations and other costs related to furniture/equipment requested by the Election Board and
will move funds into the Systemic Improvements -Buildings Project budget for expenditures
related to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, exterior painting, and roof repair work. The
additional renovations requested include preparing the new building for the office, warehouse, and
elections judge training center. This transfer will expedite the remaining renovations requested by
the Election Board.
Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to authorize a budget
transfer to the projects as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
BUILDING EXCISE TAX WAIVER REQUEST-LEITERSBURG RURITAN CLUB
George Souders, President; Scott Horning, Treasurer; and Bruce Barr, Construction Committee,
of the Leitersburg Ruritan Club presented a request to waive building excise tax for the new
construction of the Leitersburg Ruritan Community Center in the amount of $11,900.00. Mr.
Souders shared that to date, the organization has raised almost half of the $1.5 million construction
cost.
Mr. Souders and Mr. Horning discussed the intent to rent the Community Center, to include early
voting, Commission on Aging, etc., and the Community.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the request
for $11,900 from the Commissioners' contingency fund. The motion passed unanimously.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to convene in closed
session at 10:48 a.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline,
demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees,
employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; or any other personnel matter
that affects one or more specific individuals, in accordance with Section 3-305(b )(1) of the General
Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Mary land.
While all public meeting attendees were still in the public meeting room, Vice-President Baker
shared that he would attend the closed session meeting in protest due to the closed session agenda
item concerning Perennial Solar, LLC, adding that he believes the item should be discussed in
open session. The Commissioners discussed the option of removing that topic from closed session
and adding it to a future open session agenda and reached a consensus to remove the matter from
the closed session agenda and to discuss it during a future open session meeting. The motion passed
unanimously.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the potential appointment of specific individuals
to a local services board over which the Commissioners have appointing authority. The
Commissioners also received information regarding a specific employment recommendation with
staff and gave staff further direction on the matter.
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OPEN Session, February 4, 2020
Present during closed session were Commissioners Jeffrey A. Cline, Terry L. Baker, Wayne K.
Keefer, Cort F. Meinelschmidt, and Randall E. Wagner. Also present were Kirk C. Downey,
County Attorney/Interim County Administrator; Krista L. Hart, County Clerk; Kendall
Desaulniers, Deputy County Attorney, and at various times Ashley Holloway, Director, Plan
Review and Permitting; and Rachel Brown, Director, Human Resources.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to reconvene in open
session at 11 :22 a.m. The motion passed unanimously.
The Commissioners recessed at 11:22 a.m. and returned to the meeting at 1:30 p.m.
JOINT MEETING WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
The Board of County Commissioners met with the Board of Education at 100 West Washington
Street, Suite 1113 Hagerstown. President Jeffrey A. Cline called the meeting to order at 1 :32 p.m.
In attendance were Vice President Terry L. Baker and Commissioners Wayne K. Keefer, and
Randall F. Wagner (Commissioner Meinelschmidt was absent).
Board of Education (BOE) President Melissa Williams, Vice-President Stan Stouffer, and
members Jacqueline Fischer and Linda Murray,-met with the County Commissioners to present
the draft Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) General Fund Budget for the BOE. Also in attendance was
Student Representative Christopher Mackley.
Dr. Boyd Michael, Superintendent, staff and BOE members presented the draft FY2 l General
Fund budget for the BOE. Dr. Michael discussed the budget initiatives to include kindergarten
readiness, pre-kindergarten (pre-k) expansion, and complex student needs. The presenters
described the challenges of meeting the needs of a diverse student population and providing
appropriate compensation for employees, including health care and substitute teachers. The budget
is valued at $300,663,925 with $108,337,650 requested in county funding. The BOE has requested
$7,082,000 in funding above the FY20 level and represents required maintenance of effort and the
low-effort escalator (COMAR 13.A.02.05.05) as well as an additional appropriation of
$5,129,000.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to adjourn at 2:03 p.m. The
motion passed unanimously.
The Commissioners presented the State of the County video to the general public, followed by a
question and answer period, at 5:30 p.m. at the Kepler Theatre, Hagerstown Community College,
11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown, Maryland.
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Krista L. Hart, County Clerk